SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of developing a ground station network capable of delivering real time space weather data to end users. Specifically, the proposed works seek to assess existing and future communications requirements for providing better than 15 minute latency (threshold objective) for transfer of data from NOAA space weather assets to the ground for distribution to end users. This study will include space weather assets in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO and at the L1 and L5 Lagrange points. The range of orbits for this study is extreme, from LEO to Lagrange points (hundreds of km to millions of km). Therefore, it is likely that no single system will satisfy the requirements. Basically, a potential solution for LEO may not work for Lagrange points and vice versa. A detailed list of the various requirements for the different mission profiles (LEO to L5) will be delivered as part of this study.

The goal of this Phase II effort is to carry out a series of tasks with the purpose of developing a ground station network that can provide less than 15 minute latency in acquiring data from NOAA space weather assets. These tasks include: ? Finalize a set of specifications for ground stations so they can be used to determine the suitability of existing ground stations for the different missions or recommend upgrades / new construction of other ground stations ? Design a system to receive data from LEO satellites that can be easily deployed in remote locations, which could be offered to NOAA as a turn-key package ? Conduct a feasibility study of commercial ground station options for additional sites ? Update previously conducted ground station access time simulations ? Study satellite-to-satellite links as an alternative to new ground stations, including intraconstellation, inter-constellation and geosynchronous links. ? Explore concepts related to Software Defined Radio as potential solutions for enhancing capability and flexibly in NOAA’s current and potential future ground station architecture. ? Provide a final report with a summary of the overall solution, alternatives and recommendations to NOAA’s original request of less than 15 minute latency in gathering space weather data.